Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (born 15 September 1942) is the President of Zimbabwe, having been in office since November 2017 after a military-assisted transition that ended the 37-year rule of Robert Mugabe. Nicknamed “The Crocodile” for his political patience and survival instincts, Mnangagwa is a veteran of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and one of the most enduring figures of the post-independence political elite. He spent decades as Mugabe’s close ally, serving in some of the most powerful and sensitive state roles, including intelligence, justice, and defence. Upon assuming office, Mnangagwa promised a reformist break from the Mugabe era under the slogan “Zimbabwe is Open for Business”, pledging economic recovery, re-engagement with the international community, and democratic reforms. However, his presidency has been deeply contested. Zimbabwe continues to struggle with chronic inflation, currency instability, unemployment, and poverty, while political repression and state crackdowns persist. His re-election in August 2023 was upheld by state institutions but rejected by the opposition and criticized by regional and international observers, reinforcing concerns that Zimbabwe remains trapped in authoritarian continuity rather than genuine reform.